Research interests

Biomaterials

Biomaterials are substances either manufactured or modified to interact and guide cellular or tissue processes towards therapy or medical intervention. In particular interest for this lab is to develop materials technology and characterizations facility that serves as a platform for therapies ranging from orthopedic, trauma, cardiovascular,   metabolic and neurondegenerative applications. The lab is particulary stron in molecular and mechanical surface analysis in addition to synthesis and chemical manipulations.  Materials tomography (AFM) and surface mechanical and potential properties will be utilized both for academic purposes and as a service to other research groups within the University and beyond. Micro tomography and 3D design of scaffolds and structures are also be employed.

Tissue Engineering

The human body has a remarkable ability to regenerate and repair tissue when damaged or diseased through spontaneous stem cells differentiation, however this ability diminish rapidly with age and acute trauma. Multiple biomaterials, including several natural and synthetic polymers or composite materials, have strong potential to provide mechanisms for achieving spontaneous stem cell differentiation. Spontaneous cell differentiation means that the stem cells that are responsible for tissue regeneration and repair will be able to do so without the need to add toxic growth factor chemicals. This is a major breakthrough towards inducing tissue regeneration and repair in vivo without the need to add toxic growth factors. Achieving spontaneous differentiation in vivo means that clinical therapies for acute trauma injuries like strokes and spinal cord damage and age related cardiovascular, metabolic and neurondegenerative diseases could have efficient and permanent cure. Socially, the availability of these therapies will improve immensely the life quality of the ageing population and patients suffering from acute injuries. This scientific advancement will also reduce significantly the cost of health services that are associated with care and management for diseases related to old age and acute injuries. It will also means an increased opportunity for the ageing population to continue, or re-enter, the work force and reduce the burden on the social security allocations.  Academically, our projects will provide the means and the knowhow on unravelling the superior qualities of Biomaterials in  a stable and easily to handle.  Also, our projects will reveal basic knowledge regarding the mechanism for regenerative medicine through the induction of stem cell differentiation thus offering  new opportunities for new and advanced therapies.